Government welcomes fee freeze acceptances

The
decision by Massey and Canterbury universities to accept the
government’s fee stabilisation offer for 2003 has been
welcomed by Associate Education (Tertiary Education)
Minister Steve Maharey.

The government offered in the 2002
budget a 4.5 per cent funding increase per student to those
providers who agree to hold their fees again next year. Two
universities, 17 polytechnics, 3 colleges of education, 3
wananga and 174 private training establishments have
indicated they will accept the funding offer to
date.

Steve Maharey said he welcomed news that two
universities have now joined the group of providers who have
accepted the offer. He said was hopeful that remaining
tertiary institutions would also sign up by the October 11
deadline.

“The government welcomes the news that Massey
and Canterbury universities will hold their tuition fees
again next year.

“Fee stablisation is good for students,
who will now have the security of a third year in a row
without the fee increases they suffered duing the 1990s.
Fee stablisation is also one of the reasons that student
numbers have been increasing since the election of the
Labour-led government which, in turn, is good for
institutions since it boosts their overall revenue.

“Other
universities are due to decide in the next week whether they
will also accept the fee stabilisation package and I am
hopeful that they will do so,” Steve Maharey said.

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